Staff

Fort King's Staff & Leadership!

Staff and Leadership!

Rev. Andy Gans

Name: Andy Gans
Email andy@fortking.org

Pastor

Reverend Andrew (Andy) Gans became Fort King’s pastor in April of 2008. Andy came to Ocala from Atlanta, Georgia where his ordained ministry began as he ministered to Atlanta’s homeless population. Andy worked on staff of Samaritan House of Atlanta and was Program Director of Central Presbyterian Church Outreach and Advocacy Center. Although not a traditional congregation, the 150 men, women, and children that were seen at the center each day offered a unique opportunity for ministry as not only their spiritual needs were cared for, but also their physical. Rev. Gans’ passion for Christ and his deep zeal for mission and outreach ministry make him a wonderful match for Fort King and its long history of reaching out in Christian love to those in need. Rev. Gans graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and a Bachelors of Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Andy has worked in the church for many years. He began working full time in the church in 1996 when he became Director of Children Youth and Young Adult Ministries at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Wilmington, DE. Andy’s work with children and youth continued when he came on staff at Smyrna Presbyterian Church in Conyers, GA, a suburb east of Atlanta. Andy was then called to Roswell Presbyterian Church in Roswell, Georgia, a suburb north of Atlanta, to be their Director of Youth Ministries. Prior to Andy’s ministry career he was a news and sports videographer. First in Chattanooga, TN. for an NBC affiliate, and then in Durham, N.C. for and ABC owned and operated station. While in Chattanooga he met Cheryl whom he dated and soon married. They now have two daughters who enjoy many activities and school. Andy’s time in television took him to many exciting and exotic places, such as covering NCAA Final Fours, presidential campaigns, and the fiftieth commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France. Andy is excited about his ministry with the people of Fort King and the many ministry opportunities in the Ocala area and beyond.

Andy and his Family (Wife Cheryl, Daughters)

Tom McNeil

	Name: Tom Mc Neil
Visitation Pastor	Tom has an extensive background including a BA in Philosophy, Greek and Psychology, BD in Biblical Languages, and History, STM in the History of the Test of the Epistle of James, Th.D in Aramaic Logia of Jesus in Fourth Gospel, and an MA in English, Education and Psycholinguistics, and is an ordained Presbyterian Minister. He has taught at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, Teaching Fellow and instructor of Biblical languages and Historical Theology, as well as 31 years as Professor and Chairman of Dept of Religion and Philosophy, and Dean of Academic affairs at Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. We are fortunate to have Tom as Fort King Presbyterian Church’s Visitation Pastor, but also as our wonderful Sunday School Educator.
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John Lesckak

	Name: John Lesckak
Director Of Music	John Leschak is our Director of Music at Fort King. He rehearses and directs our church choirs. John plays the organ and piano at our services. Mr. Leschak served 35 years as the Band Director at Lake Weir High School. He received a music scholarship in piano to Central Florida Jr. College. While at CFCC, he was selected for Phi Theta Kappa scholastic fraternity. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from Florida State University. He is a a Life member of the Florida Bandmasters Association. He serves as an official adjudicator and plays piano professionally with the Southern Express Big Band.
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Chris Muramatsu

	Name: Chris Muramatsu Email fortking.@earthlink.net
Administrative Assistant	Chris has been in the customer service and support business her whole professional career. She happened upon the great opportunity at Ft. King through a temporary assignment. She loved the work and the people so much, she applied for and accepted the permanent position offer. Chris is married and lives with her semi-retired husband, John Clarke, in Citrus County. As Administrative Assistant, Chris is directly responsible for the overall management of the church office. She will provide secretarial and administrative support to the pastors and other church staff as well as coordinate church office activities and events.
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Amanda Osenga

Name: Amanda
Email amanda@fortking.org

Director of
Discipleship

Amanda Osengaon has spent the past four years enjoying the student lifestyle at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. This past May she graduated with her Masters of Divinity and continues pursuing ordination in the PC(USA). During her time as student Amanda was fortunate to have the opportunity to study for a year in Göttingen, Germany where she was able to pursue her interest in ecclesiology. She spent as much time as possible exploring the nooks, crannies and architecture of the local churches while contemplating the nature of the community into which people are called by God. Prior to entering seminary Amanda worked as a Youth Director in Cleveland, Ohio where she developed curriculum for the Sunday school and confirmation programs. While in Atlanta, Amanda also served part-time as the Christian Education Director at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed developing intergenerational programming. Growing up in a military family Amanda has called a variety of places home including Colorado, England, Florida, Georgia, Germany and Ohio. Her transient childhood instilled in her a love for traveling and she seeks to discover new places as often as she can. In her free time, Amanda enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, but always enjoys curling up to a book or working on her latest knitting project on a rainy day. Amanda is excited to enter into her new role as the Director of Discipleship at Fort King and looks forward to joining this community in seeking to understand who we are in relationship to God, to one another, and to the world.

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Research Assistant, Dr. Jonathon Strom,

Performed research tasks for professor as needed
Work related to the field of Christian history, particularly Pietism

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Research Assistant, Dr. Carol Lakey Hess,

Performed research tasks for professor as needed
Work related to field of Christian education

Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

Christian Education Director,

Oversaw programming for all ages
Implemented the program Children in Worship for the younger children
Coordinated program and teachers for adult education
Developed and administered an intergenerational summer program, utilizing the lectionary and providing an educational opportunity to correspond

Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Heights, OH

Mid High Youth Education Coordinator,

Youth Director,

· Oversaw Sunday night Mid High and Senior High programming for 40 youth

· Created and implemented a Mid High Sunday school program, utilizing the multiple intelligence model of education, highlighting major biblical themes which would recycle every three years

· Worked with a team of adult leaders re-developing the confirmation program to fit into an intensive ten-week class where the youth would further explore their personal faith journeys

· Developed a Senior High student leadership team

· Facilitated weekly home-based bible studies

· Planned engaging monthly events, such as retreats, service projects, outreach events, and mission trips

· Oversaw a team of adult leaders

· Met with senior pastor and experienced youth director for weekly mentoring

New Hope Community Church, Aurora, CO

Interim Youth Director,

Intern

Oversaw the directing of the Jr. High and Sr. High youth groups
Developed a five year plan for the youth ministry
Created budgets
Planned Sunday night lessons for Jr. and Sr. High
Coordinated winter retreats and other activities for the students

Living Hope Community Church, Highlands Ranch, CO Intern,

Served under the youth director for mentorship and development of the Jr. High program at a small church

Volunteer

Metro State Women’s Prison, Atlanta, GA

Chaplain,

Met one on one with inmates for counseling as needed
Assisted in weekly Sunday night services

Special Engagements

Guest Speaker for 8^th Grade Confirmation Retreat, Cleveland, Ohio

February 16 – 18, 2007

March 17 – 19 2006

Education

Emory University, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta GA

Masters of Divinity, May 2009

Georg-August University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

Scholarship Exchange Program, August 2007 – July 2008

Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major: Biblical Studies; Minor: Youth Ministry